Sabah Wildlife Sanctuaries

📍 Sandakan Airport to Sepilok (16km) 25min

Get picked up at the airport and transferred to your hotel in the Sepilok area. Please note that you need to arrive by 17:00 at the latest.

If you arrived earlier in the day, the following two optional activities are available for you to participate in for an additional surcharge. Both are excellent introductions to the regions wildlife and are highly recommended.

Optional tour: Rainforest Discovery Center (SIC)

Aside from the Plant Discovery Walk, which features information about the medicinal and traditional use of herbs and leaves, there is a 347-meter-long 87-meter-high canopy walkway. Nestled high amongst the rainforest tree line, this provides a great opportunity to spot 250-300 bird species and maybe even a wild orang-utan.

Optional tour: Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary (SIC)

One of the best places to encounter Borneo’s one and only, the Proboscis monkey. As we wait for the proboscis monkeys, other animals will also approach the feeding platform such as squirrels, silver leaf monkeys, and as well oriental pied hornbills. (Viewing/Feeding times: Platform A: 09:30/14:30. Platform B: 11:30/16:30)

Overnight at MY Nature Resort

Inclusions:

🍗 Dinner

📍 Sepilok to SIM SIM Jetty (26km) 32min SIM SIM Jetty to Abai by boat (Join in Basis): 2hrs Cruise times: PM – 16:30 Cruise duration will depend on wildlife spotting: approx. 2 hours

Today’s tour starts at 08:30. Pick up will be at your Sandakan/Sepilok hotel. Have the luggage ready for the vehicle and depart for the Sun Bear Conservation Centre nearby. This centre aims to increase awareness of this endearing, but little-known bear species – named after the crescent shaped patch of fur on their chests that resembles the rising sun. From here walk to Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre in time for the morning feeding session at 10:00.

At 11:15 in the morning, transfer by private air-conditioned minivan with the guide to Sim Sim Jetty to meet the boat (Join in Basis) and transfer up the Kinabatangan River. This two-hour boat journey passes by local villages and lush rainforest and provides excellent wildlife-spotting opportunities for those looking to gander at some of Borneo’s quirky inhabitants.

Abai Jungle Lodge is located at 47 km from the river mouth of Kinabatangan River

Around 13:15 arrive at the lodge, check in and enjoy lunch. The local guide will conduct a briefing on the upcoming activities and advise on recommended gear. You’ll have time in the afternoon to relax.

Late in the afternoon, at 16:30 hop on a riverboat for a cruise up the Kinabatangan River in search of wildlife - most notably, the proboscis monkeys which are endemic to Borneo. Other fauna that are likely to be spotted in the Lower Kinabatangan Reserve include elephants, hornbills, gibbons, and many birds.  Continue until night to witness the fireflies on the rainforest  lightening up like Christmas trees.

Apart from the river cruise, guests are free to enjoy the natural surroundings around the resort. Birds, and monkeys such as the Silvered Langur, Maroon Langur, Hose Langur, and Wild Orang Utan are sometimes spotted.

Dinner will be served at the jetty overlooking Kinabatangan River.

Overnight at Abai Jungle Lodge

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Cruise times: AM – 06:30, PM – 16:30. (Join in Basis) Boat Abai – Sukau approx. 2 hours (Join in Basis) Cruise duration will depend on wildlife spotting: approx. 2 hours

Rise early in the morning at 06:30 along with the birds and other animals of the jungle for an unforgettable river cruise to Pitas Oxbow Lake, a crescent shaped lake that formed when the river’s meander became so wide that it cut itself off. The stillness of the lake and relative protection provides a haven for animals and plants making for an ecosystem that’s completely distinct from that of the active river.

Breakfast will be served at the Abai Jungle Platform at 08:00.

At 10:00, join the team for the Tree Planting project and later meet the locals at Abai Village. With deforestation a massive issue across our planet, the team at Abai helps to reforest areas where trees have been cut down.

Have lunch at Abai Village, specially arranged by the local residents.

At 14.00 leave by boat to Sukau and transfer upriver to the Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge for check in. The resort guide will brief you on the resort and following activities.

Head out in the late afternoon to watch the river life of many primate species. They become active during this time and can be seen foraging for food, socialising and grooming each other. The afternoon is a particularly advantageous time to spot wildlife and the light is perfect for photography.

In the evening, enjoy a well-deserved and hearty dinner, followed by a video show to learn more about the abundance of biodiversity, Kinabatangan River sustains one of the world’s richest ecosystems.

Overnight at Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Sukau to Sepilok land (Join in Basis) : (110km) 2hrs Sepilok to Sandakan airport (16km) 25 min

After breakfast, check-out from the hotel at 09:00 and return to Sandakan airport by land for arrival at 11:00.

Lunch at MY Nature resort and transfer to the airport for your onward journey

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch